Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Last weekend we began to read through the sixth chapter to the Gospel of John, one of my favorites in the New Testament. It is very providential that this particular chapter of John, the so-called “Bread of Life Discourse of Jesus,” follows right after the great Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis last month. There, thousands of Catholics gathered to publicly proclaim their belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and worship him as our Eucharistic Lord and God. What an experience it was for me and for all who were present last month! But it doesn’t take a Eucharistic Congress to profess faith in Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament. We can worship him wherever Mass is celebrated and adore him wherever the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in each and every tabernacle of the world.
But, back to the all-important chapter six of John’s Gospel. In that chapter, Jesus gave us his teaching on the Eucharist, but he began by teaching us at a very basic level. He started with our stomachs. If you recall, last Sunday, Jesus fed the large and hungry crowd by multiplying the bread and fish that the boy provided. On that day, everyone had their fill of earthly food, and they were amazed. So amazed, that they followed Jesus for more of it. They went after Jesus for more food. So, Jesus said to them in today’s Gospel, “You are looking for me. . . because you ate the loaves and were filled.”
Today, Jesus shifts our attention to a different type of food that we also need, the “food that endures for eternal life.” Jesus begins to teach us that he is the Bread of Life, the food from God that will provide for us forever. And so he says, “Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
We look at the good that our Church does for so many. We provide food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, help for the outcasts, and medicine for the sick. Like Jesus, we feed the multitudes and provide for their physical needs. We do this through Catholic Charities, overseas missions, downtown shelters, and our many hospitals and other ministries to the poor. But, like Jesus, our Church doesn’t stop there. We also provide something that satisfies the human spirit. We provide the Bread of Life. Our Church is much more than a social services agency. We are a soup kitchen for body and soul.
As we read through John chapter 6 over the next few Sundays, ask the Lord to take care of your spiritual needs. And remember, that the final portion of John, chapter 6, tells us that if we want to be satisfied forever, we must eat of the flesh of Jesus and drink of his blood. That is why we come to Mass — to be satisfied with Jesus, the Bread of Life. And not only that, but to give ourselves as a gift of thanksgiving to the one who feeds us for eternal life.
Have a blessed week everyone.